Songkran 2018: If You Can’t Stay Dry; At Least Stay Safe!

[snoop1130]

Songkran 2018: If You Can’t Stay Dry; At Least Stay Safe!

By Hua Hin Today

 

Songkran 2018: If You Can’t Stay Dry; At Least Stay Safe!

 

The rest of the world may not be aware that the water rituals on a grand scale over three consecutive days each year has long been a part of Thai culture, recognising that the wet season is imminent. Despite this being an eagerly awaited Festival, it is also a very dangerous time of the year on Thailand roads.

 

The cabinet has resolved to declare Thursday, April 12th an addition public holiday on top of the Songkran Day on Friday, April 13 which is already a public holiday. Since April 14-15 fall on Saturday and Sunday and April 16th has already been declared Songkran holiday, the total number of holidays for Songkran this year will be five–from April 12-16. Assistant government spokesperson Col Athisit Chainuwat said that the long holidays would help promote local tourism and urged state agencies to make preparations to facilitate the safe travelling of revelers.

 

Downtown Hua Hin; saying dry is an impossibility Tuk-Tuks are not exempt Songkran actually originated from Burma. In fact, there are also other countries practicing this festivity including Vietnam and Laos, but nowhere like Thailand. The word Songkran was derived from “Sankranti”, which means ‘to move or to change’. Songkran is not only about fun and the party atmosphere with water ‘attacks’ an essential element found on the streets of Thailand no matter where you are. Although the ritual soaking is inevitable and trying to staying dry futile, the period also has associated religious activities and important family activities.

 

On the eve of Songkran Day, i.e. on the 12th April, the people clean their house and burn all the refuse. This is a Spring Cleaning Day done as a duty in the belief that anything bad belonging to the old year will be unlucky to the owner if left and carried forward to the coming New Year. Early on the 13th April, the people both young and old in their new clothing go to the Wat or monastery belonging to their village or district to offer food to the monks there. A long table is erected in the compound of the Wat where monk’s alms bowls stand in a row on either side of the table. Into the alms bowls the gathering people put boiled rice and into the covers of the alms bowls, food, fruits and sweetmeats. In the afternoon of the same day there is bathing ceremony of the Buddha images and also of the abbot of the Wat. The bathing of images is done as ritualistic ceremony, but it is no other than a New Year’s purification.

 

Younger people will also on this day or the succeeding days go to pay their respect to and ask blessings from their elders and respected persons. They will pour scented water into the palms of the old people and present them with a towel and other bathing requisites. In the old days it was an actual bathing where the young people helped the old people to take a bath and to change their old clothing and put on the new clothes which the young people presented them as an act of respect to the aged on the occasion of the New Year.

 

Full Story: http://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/songkran-2018-if-you-cant-stay-dry-at-least-stay-safe/

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2018-30-3

[George Bowman]

The Songkran bathing ceremony from years ago. 

[JOC]

Worst time of the year....From a Mardi Gras like party, it has turned into a alcohol-fueled brawl......

Time to stock up and stay home for a couple days......

[ukrules]

The Songkran water madness only lasts for one day in Hua Hin.

 

I normally don't do much on that day.

[The manic]

Hainan China. VOA. 10k baht ticket. 2 hours flying time Rayong airport (UTP)  That's my solution. 10 days in country I've never been to... 

[jaygino]

where is the best place to go in Thailand to avoid this water throwing madness, or at least reduce it to the minimum time possible ?

[fakename]

Just get a hotel room, lots of vids, lock the door, and relax for a few days!